Am I Bisexual? 9 Signs You Might Be + Common Questions About Being Bi

If you think you might be bisexual, you might be experiencing a mix of feelings: perhaps confusion, a bit of fear, and maybe, just maybe, a bit of excitement as you're starting to identify this part of yourself. Ahead, we talk about how to know if you may be bisexual and what to do next if that may be the case.

According to a 2022 Gallup report, 7.1% of U.S. adults identify as LGBTQ+. Of those LGBTQ+ folks, a whopping 57% are bisexual, making it the single largest group within the LGBTQ+ community.

There is not one single process for identifying one's sexual preferences; the experience can vary from person to person. That said, here are some of the most common signs that you may be bisexual:

Regardless of your identity, feelings in general can be confusing. However, one sign that you may be bisexual is feeling confused about your attraction to other people, especially when it comes to what genders you are or aren't attracted to. Bi feelings can be confusing—especially if you've grown up in a traditional household or have preferred one gender for most of your life. 

Have you ever felt a weird connection with a friend but were too afraid to confront it? Do you always find yourself afraid to "cross that one thin line"? That may be a sign of bisexuality. Confusing "nonromantic" or "quasi-romantic" relationships can be a common experience for bisexual people.

For many people, physical attraction is often the first step when it comes to developing deeper feelings for someone. One of the most common telltale sign that you may be bisexual is if you feel an undeniable attraction toward a person's appearance and looks, regardless of their gender.

Do you fantasize about physically being with people of various genders? Has your porn history begun to expand to include scenes outside of just the heterosexual norm? These are all signs you're likely sexually attracted to more than one gender.

Bisexuality equips you with the capacity to fully love and date multiple genders (or even all of them!). Visualizing a long-term relationship with someone outside of their gender is a good sign that you may be bisexual. You might be more comfortable with one specific gender over others, but if you could see yourself dating people of different genders, that may signal some bisexual inclinations.

…or relate more to bisexual characters on your favorite show, movie, or book. Though this does not immediately confirm you are bisexual, having a sense of attraction, connection, or pride with these characters can be good indicators that you might be one.

Ever tried to take an online quiz to confirm if you're bisexual? This could mean that you are having conflicting feelings or emotions over yourself or someone, and finding answers online seems like the only way to help. You may brush it off as a silly little quiz, or you may do it "just for fun," but questioning to this extent alone is something many LGBTQ+ people experience.

"Many people will also define their sense of bisexuality on their own terms as well, so it's important to be curious about not just what terms people use to identify themselves but also the importance of that identity to them personally," Caraballo adds.

"Ultimately, each person will relate to and define their sexuality differently," Kahn adds. "It's about what words mean to you and your communities, and why that word choice is most accurate or meaningful to you."

Here are a few things to keep in mind if you think you may be bisexual: 

While there may be misconceptions and prejudice surrounding bisexuality, know that it truly is something to celebrate. Your identity is valid, and understanding your sexual preferences better is always a good thing.

"If you're having a hard time figuring out your sexuality, just remember that there's no rush to figure anything out and that coming into your sexuality is a fluid experience that can change over your lifetime," Kahn reminds. 

On that note, you may be wondering whether you need to "come out" to others about your newfound identity. Coming out is very personal, and it's all up to you. Some decide to come out as a way of introducing their true selves, while others don't feel the need to do so. You don't have to come out if you don't want to or before you're ready, nor do you have to be open about your sexuality and preferences to everyone.

"A large part of realizing one's sexuality often involves unlearning heterocentric and queer-phobic cultural narratives and beliefs that we've all internalized," says Caraballo, "while creating space in yourself and perhaps with others to explore and stay connected to what YOU like, want and desire."

Keep in mind that you need to open up to people you trust and feel comfortable talking with. Caraballo suggests relying on your more accepting friends and family members, as well as therapists familiar with supporting LGBTQ+ people, for ongoing support in your self-discovery process. This support network can help you process new knowledge and emotions that you are unfamiliar with. It is always easier to work it out with someone else.

Caraballo also suggests exploring queer books, movies, and other media.

Regardless of your identity, knowing how to protect yourself sexually should be one of your top priorities. This involves deciding on your sexual nonnegotiables, identifying what you want and don't want to do with your partners, and communicating your emotional needs.

Many tend to confuse bisexuality as the attraction to men and women alone. In reality, you can be both bisexual and nonbinary, and being bisexual can include attraction to nonbinary people. Bisexuality is just about being attracted to more than just one gender; it's not specific to just men and women. 

There is also a notion that bisexuals' attraction is split 50/50 (e.g., equally attracted to men as to women). In most cases though, bi folks are more interested in certain genders than others. 

One of the most popular myths about bisexuals is that they're "playing on both fields" to "take every chance they get." This misconception attaches a stigma that bisexuals are more promiscuous than others, given their much bigger dating pool–which is false. In reality, just like a straight woman isn't attracted to every man she meets, a bisexual person experiences attraction only to specific people who fit their fancy. 

Bisexuals often hear the phrase "pick a lane," suggesting that bisexuality is just a phase and they are bound to choose one gender in the long run. On the contrary though, bisexuality is not just an experimental or transitional phase. 

However, having to define yourself and identify your preferences need not be rushed. You can take it slow. Explore the idea, see how this label feels, and know that at the end of the day, only you can decide if you are bisexual or not. While labels can provide comfort and validation, your sexual identity is just one part of who you are and one single puzzle piece in the journey to loving yourself better.